India is rapidly moving forward in the semiconductor industry, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted exciting progress in this field. He pointed out an article by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, which reveals that in the next decade, India’s semiconductor manufacturing is set to grow into a global hub. As Indian semiconductor units expand and become more advanced, the country will play a key role across the entire chip supply chain.
PM Modi emphasized that India’s journey in semiconductors is truly transforming. The upcoming Semicon India Summit 2025 continues this momentum, showcasing India’s focus on becoming a major player in the semiconductor world.
Semiconductors are often called the “hidden engines” that power almost everything around us. They are vital components inside smartphones, cars, trains, medical devices, satellite systems, defense equipment, power grids, and even artificial intelligence. As technology advances, the demand for semiconductor chips continues to soar.
The Minister for Electronics & IT shared that India’s consumption and production of electronics are growing faster than ever before. Today, India has over 65 crore (650 million) smartphone users, and the electronics manufacturing industry is worth around Rs 12 lakh crore annually. The country is also developing innovative AI systems, data centres, and electric vehicles, all of which rely heavily on semiconductor chips.
For a long time, many believed India had “missed the bus” on semiconductor manufacturing. But that’s no longer true. Under the India Semiconductor Mission, 10 new semiconductor factories are underway, with construction progressing rapidly. India is now set to produce its first “Made in India” chips this year. A pilot plant has already started operating in Sanand, Gujarat, and within a year, four more factories are expected to begin production. Global giant companies like Applied Materials, Lam Research, Merck, and Linde are investing heavily in building supply chains and supporting factories, which shows strong international confidence in India’s semiconductor industry.
This remarkable progress results from clear government vision, fast decision-making, skilled professionals, and active cooperation from state governments. India has moved from waiting for opportunities to creating them, thanks to a focus on design talent and innovation.
India currently boasts over 20% of the world’s semiconductor design workforce. As the global demand for chips grows, the country is preparing to fill the talent gap. Over 60,000 users across 350 institutions and startups are using advanced Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools provided free by the government. In 2025 alone, these tools were used for more than 1.2 crore hours.
Indian startups are also driving innovation in chip design. Companies like Mindgrove Technologies are working on IoT chips using the indigenous SHAKTI processor developed at IIT Madras. Another startup, Netrasemi, recently secured a record Rs 107 crore in funding, showing strong investor confidence in India’s semiconductor future. Many startups are benefiting from government schemes like the Design Linked Incentive (DLI), which supports domestic chip design.
Overall, India’s focus on semiconductor manufacturing and design is creating new opportunities and strengthening its position in the global tech landscape. With government support, talented professionals, and strategic investments, India is becoming a key player in the future of semiconductor technology.
